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Whirlwinds
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MotorCycling Achievement in Design: Sport Bikes
Arthur Coldwells
02/01/2007
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Photograph by Kevin Wing
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Almost invariably, form is the result of function in the sportbike realm.
Here are six motorcycles whose designs startled and impressed us in various
ways, each adding something to the rich canon of performance
motorcycling.
 Triumph Daytona 675. (Click image to enlarge)
Take a 900cc in-line four, chop off a cylinder, and you might
be surprised at the outcome. That’s just what Triumph did and the result was the
600-class-beating Daytona 675. Packing a dis-tinguishing 123 hp in-line
three motor, the Daytona 675 caught its Japanese competition flatfooted, gaining
a power and torque advantage by ignoring displacement conventions. The Daytona
also has aggressively tuned suspension and sharp-but-neutral handling for local
canyon wars.
For Kawasaki, the quest for power domination started in 1969
with its
mind blowing Mach III triple-cylinder 500cc two-stroke musclebike. It
continues in the 21st century with the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14; a refined
open-class rocketship with almost 200 hp of thrust that propels the
machine to a
self-limited 300 kph (186 mph). Unlike the Mach III, the
ZX-14 is a bike with
good manners at any speed, though it does have an
exhilaratingly addictive rush
at 6,000 rpm.
 Ducati SportClassic PaulSmart 1000LE. Photograph by Paul
Barshon. (Click image to enlarge)
The name may be English, but the Ducati SportClassic PaulSmart
1000LE is all-Italian. A limited-edition model that may now be hard to procure,
this is a retro-style motorcycle that retains the café racer essence of the
1970s, while delivering Design Award winning technology of modern times. Proudly
displaying a fairing that recalls the 200 Miles of Imola-winning machine
ridden by Paul Smart and a fully tucked riding position, the 1000LE is a
practical and, dare we say it, smart alternative to owning a 1972 Ducati
750SS.
Not everyone—particularly older riders who have been there, done that,
and are now happy to see where they’re going—feels the need for race
ergonomics
on the street. The MV Agusta Brutale 910R rewards the
reasonable rider with a
136 hp motor, radial Brembo brakes, a 6-speed
transmission and, of course, an
upright riding position. MV’s design
team took the standard Brutale and
upgraded the already-excellent
trellis frame and 50mm front suspension to create
a comfortable sport
bike that needs no excuses.
 MV Agusta Brutale 910. (Click image to enlarge)
Custom sportbikes are gaining
in popularity, but few rely on
American-built V-twin motors to power them.
Exquisite in both design
and execution, the Ecosse Heretic is much too refined
to be described
as a streetfighter, despite its naked-bike aggression and
brutishly
displayed air-cooled 1966cc powerplant with proprietary 6-speed Baker
transmission. The spectacular trellis frame and swingarm mingle
effortlessly
with premium Öhlins suspension to ensure that your riding
experience matches the
visual impact of this purposeful and unique
design.
 Ecosse Heretic. Photograph by Cordero Studios/www.corderostudios.com. (Click image to enlarge)
Honda’s CBR600RR was an
exemplary place to start, but Ray Plumb and Team Honda racing turned the bike
into something quite extraordinary. Fortunate enough to ride Miguel Duhamel’s
AMA Formula Extreme race bike at Miller Motorsports Park, I was astounded at how
incredibly well the machine performed. Power was crisp and strong, but not
notchy or jerky. The gas-charged Öhlins suspension delivered beautifully neutral
and solid handling. Faster than a Catholic running through nearby Salt Lake
City, this bike needed every bit of its highly efficient Nissin radial calipers
to bite down the speed at the straight’s end. This machine could be relatively
easily replicated for around $50,000, but whether Duhamel would be prepared to
set it up so perfectly for you would be another matter entirely.
www.triumph.co.uk/usa
www.kawasaki.com | www.ducatiusa.com
www.mvagusta.com
www.ecossemoto.com
powersports.honda.com
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